In life, we have hopes about how certain aspects of our life will turn out. We have expectations for ourselves as well as our family, friends, etc. Unfortunately, sometimes these expectations are not fulfilled the way we would like, or at all. When this happens, how do we deal with the people who disappoint us?
As far as I see it, each of us has two options. Option A is to cut this person out of your life. If this person has hurt you deeply or does not support you, this may be the right option for you. Why continue being involved with someone who time and time again hurts you? For example, if you have an infection, you do not try to cope with the infection. You do not try to live with the infection and make it work. Instead, you take the necessary medicine to fight the infection. This person is an infection in your life. Why keep signing up for disappointment, when you know this person will never change? You do not have to be mean about removing this person from your life-- all you have to do is walk away.
If option A is not right for you, there is option B. Option B is to forgive this person. Disappointment is a part of life and no one is perfect. Not forgiving this person is hurting you in the long run for one of two reasons: one is that this person does not care they have hurt you or, two, this person does not know they have hurt you. Either way this situation is poisoning you. Maybe this person is someone you are upset with, but do not want to lose forever. Pride is important, but is it worth losing this relationship over?
Finally, there is the secret option C. Option C is a blend of both option A and B. You can forgive this person, while still cutting them out, either temporarily or permanently. Sometimes, you do not want to back away forever, but you need to take a time out from this relationship and there is nothing wrong with that.
There is no one right way to experience an emotion. It can be challenging to deal with the people who have hurt us, especially when these disappointments are frequent and on a larger scale. Sometimes, it can be difficult to make a decision depending on the person and the situation, but what truly matters is how we react to these disappointments in life. These moments define us for the future-- choose wisely.
